Homeless Pit Stop Use On The Rise

Curtis Jones is transferring from the San Francisco Pit Stop operation to work as an attendant in north Sacramento.

Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Tuesday night, the Sacramento City Council will get an update on the Pit Stop. That's the pilot project intended to give homeless people a safe restroom while reducing human waste on city streets.

In mid-June of this year, the city opened the Pit Stop - a mobile restroom at the corner of Ahern and North B Streets. It's staffed with two people and open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

The city says average daily use of the portable restroom grew from 70 in June to about 100 in September. But it's still unclear whether the Pit Stop is alleviating the problem of human waste in public places.

Homeless advocates have given the program positive feedback. But comments from people who live nearby and owners and operators of businesses in the area found a much more skeptical view of the program.

Money for the Pit Stop comes from $100,000 in General Funds and about $74,000 in staff costs.

Tonight the City Council will talk about either ending or extending the pilot program after it ends on December 31st.

Steve is the voice of Capital Public Radio News as anchor of Morning Edition and Insight. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music. Steve also produced stories for CapRadio.org. Read Full Bio